New student's bug-affair with CDU... A dream come true

Over the moon Nicki showing her mum Glenis, a giant toadstool in the CDU science laboratory

18/01/2006

A young graduate’s dream to pursue a science degree that will lead her into further study of forensic entomology has come true after she accepted her offer from Charles Darwin University within minutes of receiving it.

Nicki Mallias, a graduate of Casuarina Senior College said she had pinned her hopes on receiving the CDU offer and could not wait to send back her acceptance.

The 19-year-old self-confessed bug enthusiast travelled to the Casuarina campus this week to get a close-up glimpse of CDU’s state-of-the-art science labs and to give her mother Glenis a quick lesson in plant biology.

“Look, I was just so happy when I received my offer to do my science degree at CDU I pretty much sent back my acceptance within minutes of receiving it and just can’t wait to enroll and start my degree,” she said.

“I already have a collection of bugs, lizards and snakes at home which I know mum isn’t too fussed on, but she is getting used to them and I know she is really happy for me to be accepted into the CDU science program.

“Now I just can’t wait to enroll and get started as I have already collected an unusual and so far unknown species of ant,” said the young Palmerston woman.

“This is my dream come true.”

Nicki’s mum Glenis is equally excited saying her daughter had overcome many obstacles on the road to the CDU Offer.

“Without going into too much detail, Nicki has overcome some pretty serious health obstacles to get this far and I’m just so very proud of her,” she said.

“I think it was her steely determination to attend CDU and study for her science degree that probably got her here today.